Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“Today, we are going to play…” Mr. Brown trailed off, observing each of our expressions incautiously. His hands are behind, telling us that he got something for us. If it’s a surprise, well, I despise celebration.

“I think he needs a drum roll for making this more intense.” a kid muttered beside me. I nodded in agreement. He’s taking his time to suspense us. Either way, this is sports, so I wouldn’t say I enjoy it.

“Dodge ball.” then he showed us a circled red inflated ball. Mr. Brown puts the ball on his finger then swirls it; his eyes gleamed with pure immorality. I bit my bottom lip as anxiousness started to rush through my nerves.

Aside from the students here, I also despise the teachers in this school. Not that I disdain them or generalize, it’s just that they know some students cannot max out their acquisition. Still, they would push them to their limits until they have a mental illness, questioning their lives, purposes, and worth.

Look at Mr. Brown, for example. Not all students are athletic, but he would push you to go through wrestling even if you say you have a weak heart.

“Form a group! You know the rules. If you got hit, you’re out!” then he used his whistle, making that irritating, screeching noise that would make you beg for him to stop.

I heaved out a sigh, and I guess I had no other choice but to follow and pass this unit. It sucks to be an irregular student. I jog over a group of students who are planning out. I winced in discomfort when I felt my inner thighs were sore. I forgot I had a rough night. Even earlier, before we went to school, we did it briskly.

I don’t know if I am going to survive this activity. I shook the feeling away, trying to focus. When I halt on my tracks, I put my arms over my waist, trying to listen to their plan. But I noticed some of my classmates were looking at me, and then they would whisper something to their friend beside them, who was throwing a glance at me. I had a dreadful impression of this.

“Hey, I have a suggestion. Let’s put Natasha in front.” Joey raised his hand, catching all of our attention.

My eyes narrow and I shook my head violently. I disagree with his idea. Being in front means you are suicidal. Of course in dodge ball they would always go for the person in front.

“Good idea.”

What?

Before I could even dissent, Mr. Brown let out a long whistle, signaling us we would start. One of my classmates pushed me on the side, making me almost lose my scale. I massage my shoulder and go on to their plan, even though I'm against it. I let out a long sigh, letting the fear push at the back of my head. I shouldn't worry too much because I know everything will go well.

Or not?

For no apparent reason, I suddenly looked at the group of men who suddenly appeared and hung out on the bleachers. I didn’t mind them at first, as I am focused on surviving this game when something snatches my attention.

I froze when I saw Ethan, who was with them, but he was not talking as his eyes looked tedious, not even paying attention to what the men were even shouting at. He looked around the area, looking for something, when his eyes landed on mine. I gulp and look away, and my heart is skipping a beat.

What is he doing here? I thought he was in class! Oh god, the thought of him watching me getting thrown at makes me want to get devoured on I am stepping on. His eyes narrowed as he put his elbows on his knee, observing me quietly on his seat. I tried to look away, pretending I didn't notice him, but he still didn't break eye contact every time I had the chance to glance.

Mr. Brown whistled again, making me wince. He throws up his hand in the air.

“One…two…three…SET!”

Sweats are forming on my forehead, and my hands shake terribly when numerous balls are heading towards my way. I jumped, rolled, refrained from getting attacked. Some of my team were eliminated, and they waited on the side, watching us. I don’t know how many of us were lucky to survive this far.

The throw was precipitate. I can’t catch my breath any longer. I let out a huffed moan then gazed at Ethan’s way. His jaw tightened, and I saw him clenching his fist. I don’t know why he had that expression. He looks exasperated as if he wants to stop the activity. I didn’t pay much attention to the game because, unluckily for me, the ball hit my ankle and landed on my face.

Laughter echoed through the whole field. I swallowed and grimaced in pain as I tried to get up, but I was pushed through the ground when another ball hit me on my back head.

“Boo! You’re a loser!” When he stepped on my back, I recognized his voice, not letting me stand.

“Okay, that’s enough!” Mr. Brown blew his whistle, telling the kid to just back away, but he didn’t listen to what the teacher was saying.

“What’s the matter, Natasha? Just because you’re hanging out with Nathan, you feel all superior? Fact check, he doesn’t even love you. We made a bet on you because you’re the weirdest person on this campus, and we figured if he can pull someone like you.”

I cried when he stepped on my body as I tried to breathe the air because my face was thrust on the ground.

“But girl, you’re strong. You even had the guts to take him away from us. He told us not to talk, touch or even engage with you. What did you do to him, huh? Are you some kind of witch?”

“Mr. Tuffin! That’s enough! I’m going to charged you with bullying!”

I hear commotions, cheering, and yelling. I took a deep heavy breath to exhale when I glanced at Chris over my shoulder. He’s smiling devilishly as if he has the authority to torture me. His eyes are flaming with vexation as he stomps on my back multiple times, making me wail and beg for him to stop. I tried to crawl away, but he lifted my head and showed my face to everyone.

“Face it, girl. You’re out of his league. He’s just using you for his entertainment.”

Mr. Brown caught him then pushed him to let go of me. When he did, I faltered on the ground. I heard whispers and snaps of the camera before they left me alone. Mr. Brown tried to help me stand, but I just lowered my head on the ground, clenching my first, trying not to wail. He let out a sighed then patted me on the back.

“I’ll let his parents know what he had done.”

I didn’t say anything. I looked away, not minding his presence. I felt him stand up straight then leave me alone in the field. I stayed in my position, embracing myself as the weather coincided with how I felt because I heard a thunderous roar in the sky.

I should have known from the start, but my assumptions blinded me. I thought his fluttering eyes that reflect on my own every time he looks at my way were reality. I thought the butterflies in my stomach were speaking millions of words granting my wish of eternal euphoria, telling me I should live by the letter of truth as he held my hand.

But I was wrong.

Just like any other guy, he’s a liar. The truth of his words became a fraud. He doesn’t love me. No one will ever love me. My tears swelled up, and my heart accelerated, letting me have a mental breakdown in the middle of the field. Thunders are screaming, syncing with my sobs. I wouldn’t forget this day.

The day when my pride and ego was wiped out. The day I will remove that certain someone in my soul.

It was all an illusion.

I looked up when I felt someone was looking at me. I squinted my eyes when I saw a towering shadow standing in front, and eyes were gloomy, with no emotion attached. From the figure, aura, and eyes, I depicted who it was.

He didn’t take a step forward to hold me or even ask me about my thoughts. Instead, he turned his back away from me, letting me drown. I tried to get up and reach up for him, begging him to come here and not leave me alone when I stopped myself.

Right, he doesn’t care. He would never bother. He saw me getting miserable, and I think that’s enough for him to appetite his satisfaction for the day. Even though I wanted to break my chains under him, he won’t let me live another day.

I chuckled to myself. Maybe, it’s better that way. Who cares anyway? Perhaps not now, but soon when I have enough confidence to stop breathing.

When Monday came, I didn't have the energy to go to school, as I recalled last Friday. I shook my head and heaved a deep sigh. Ethan didn't take me to his house. Instead, I went to my apartment.

He didn't show up for two days, which is to my relief because if he wanted to oppress me again, I don't have the energy to force my body on him. I stood up and did my morning quotidian.

When I made it on the school grounds, I noticed a commotion in the field. My eyes contracted as I tried to see what was going on. I looked to my left and right and saw some students are crying. Some are looking at their phones, and fright is evident in their eyes as they look away, couldn’t take what they saw.

“Today, it is a depressive morning to announce that one of your classmates, Mr. Tuffin, who is also known as Chris, passed away last Saturday night. He was seen on his bed, hanging on the ceiling. As the staffs-”

My body trembled, and my mind went blank for a moment. Last Friday, Chris bullied me, and now, he’s dead. I cannot process this. My hands are sweaty as I had a bad feeling about this. Something tells me I am the reason for his sudden death.

And I am aware it’s not suicide.

When I backed away, I didn't realize that I had collided with something. I slowly looked up and met mine with a pair of eyes without a trace of any emotion. I gulped when his eyes turned red and showed his pointy fangs.

I think I have an idea who killed Chris.